Aero spinning-top



W. A. KRAUSE.

AERO SPINNING TOP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 1920.

1,3661736. Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

m j i v M i {/VITNESS: INVENTOR:

J? ATTORNEY.

v I I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AEBO SPINNING-TOP.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Jan. 25; 1921.

Application filed May 6, 1920. Serial No. 379,348.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. Knansn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Aero Spinning-Top, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to a toy of the class that is commonly known as a top or spinning top that is designed to be put in motion in a holder by means of a string or cord, the'invention having reference more particularly to a top that is designed'to rise from the holder while spinning and to descend to the floor or ground and continue spinning or rotating.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved aero spinning top which shall be so constructed as to be adjustable to enable it to rise more or less as may be desired, and which shall be not only amusing and entertaining to both young and old people, but shall be educational and be the means of exciting interest in mechanical and scientific subjects as pertaining to variations in flight and operation of the toy.

Another object is to provide an improved aero spinning top which shall be so constructed of metal that it shall be of light weight, and free from sharp edges or portions that might be injurious to the operator or to ceilings and walls, or furniture of rooms.

A further object is to provide an adjustable aero spinning top having propeller blades constructed so as to be readily adjusted to insure different heights of flight and yet be simple and of. inexpensive construction, and be durable and economical in use.

A still further object is to'provide an improved holder for the aero spinning top which shall be of simple and inexpensive, yet reliable, durable and economical construction.

With the above-mentioned and other ,objects in view, the invention assassin a spinning. top and a lioldentherefor, each having novel features of construction, and in the parts and combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter particularly described and further defined in the accompanying claims.

Referring to the drawings,-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved spinning top and 115-5 holder arranged as when the top is being put in operation,' the hands of the operator being indicated by broken lines; Fig. 2 s a fragmentary perspective view of the sp nnlng top holder on an enlarged scale; Fig. 3 is a top plan of the propeller of the top partially completed; Fig. 4 is a vertical central section of the spinning top, a port on of its spindle being broken away; Fig. 5 1s a sectional elevation of the spinning top; and, Fig. 6 is a top plan of the spinning top completed. I

Similar'reference characters in the different figures of the drawings indicate corresponding elements or features of construc tion herein referred to in detail.

The spinning topholder required comprlses a metallic handle 1 stamped from sheet metal and having a relatively angular head 2 which has projections 3 and 4 spaced a suitable distance apart and having each an open-front spindle bearing. The bearmg on the lower projection 3 comprises a bottom 5 and a U-shape journal member 6 thereon to support the spindle of the top, and the bearing on the projection 4: coinprises a U-shape member 7 to laterally receive and guide the spindle.

The spinning top structure comprises a central hub portion 8 from which propeller blades 9 and 10 and also preferably similar blades 11 and 12 extend, and a long cylin drical rim 13 fixed to portions only of the ends of the blades. The top edge of the rim '13 has a slightly rounded outer portion 14 and the lower edge of the rim preferably has a slightly rounded outer portion 15, produced by the pressure of dies. The hub and the blades and also the rim as preferably constructed are all composedof a single piece of thin sheetmetal which is flexible, such as the base metal of tin plates and the blades are approximately of the screw-propeller shape and arranged so that the forward edges are higher than the rearward edges of the blades to enable the rotating propeller to ascend in the air. The higherportions of the 'blades'are integrally connected at their ends,'as at 16, 17 '18, 19, with the'upper portion of the rim 13. theremaining portions 20 of the ends of the blades being cut loose from the rim and bent downwardly. Each blade of the propeller has a strengthening rib 21 struck up thereon that extends radially from the hub. During the formation of the propeller the portions of the blades that are in.

tegral with the rim are pressed sligtly down edge portions of the rim, being produced by pressure of dies are only sufficient to blunt or dull the otherwise sharp-sheared edges so as to prevent the edges from cutting or scratching the operator or furniture, and preferably the lower edge of the rim has an inner rounded portion 23. A conical brace cap 24 is-provided which has a bottom flange 25 that is seated on the hub 8 and extends to the inner ends of the ribs 21, being soldered in place so as to thoroughly stiffen the hub and the narrower ends of the propeller blades. A metallic spindle 26 is inserted through the brace cap and the propeller hub and has a head 27 thereon at the top of the cap, the spindle being securely soldered in place and having a point 23 on its lower end. In some cases each blade may have a rearward extension 29 extending from an approximately radial line 30, but preferably this portion is cut away on said line from the main portion of the blade, but each blade preferably is broader than the space between two adjacent blades.

After the top is mechanically completed it receives a coating of enamel paint which when dry produces smooth edges on those parts of the metal which had been sheared or cut, and gives all coated portions a smooth surface. 7

For setting the spinning top in motion a string or cord 31 is provided which is wrapped about the spindle 2G to form coil 82 and it has a button or knob on its end to be grasped by the operator.

In practical use the handle 1 is held in a comfortable position in one hand of the op erator, the string is wound about the spindle of the top, the spindle is afterward placed sidewise in the bearing members 6 and 7 with the point 28 resting on the bottom 5, the spindle being retained in the bearings by the index finger of the operators hand; after which the string is forcibly drawn out so as to cause rotation of the spindle and consequently the propeller. The spindle may be held either vertically or at an inclination as may be desired, and having been put in motion the propeller blades impinging on the atmospheric air, cause the top to rise from the holder to an extent depending upon the rotary speed of the propeller and degree of inclination of the propeller blades. After the top rises 1. An aero-spinning top comprising a holder having two open-front spindle bearings, one of the bearings having a bottom,

a spindle removably arranged in the bearings and supported on said bottom, a hub secured to the spindle and having flexibly adjustable inclined blades thereon, and a rim having portions connected to the forward upper end portions of the blades.

2. An aero spinning-top comprising a long cylindrical rim having transverselyrounded end edges, a hub having propeller blades thereon, each blade being laterallyinclined'and flexibly-adjustable and having a rib on its top extending from the hub, the forward portion ofeaclr blade being higher than the rearward portion thereof, the ends of the higher portions of the blades being connected with the upper portions of the rim adjacent to the rounded end edge thereof, a hollow conical brace cap secured to the hub, and a spindle extending through the hub and the cap and fixedly secured thereto.

3. in an acre spinning-top, the combina tion of a hub having propeller blades thereon, each blade being laterally-inclined and flexibly-adjustable and having a rib on its top extending from the hub the forward portion of each blade being higher than-the rearward portion thereof, a -riin integrally connected at separate portions only thereof with the ends of the higher portions only of the propeller blades, the edges of the rim being rounded transversely, a hollow conical. brace cap havinga flange on its larger end secured to said hub and to the ribs on said blades, and a spindle extending through said cap and said hub and secured thereto, 

